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Watchmaking in the United States of America
American Watchmaking is thriving across the spectrum, from tool watches all the way to haute horology and everything in between. Therefore going to share the ones I feel are at the Top of their Game 😊
Roland G.Murphy
Roland G. Murphy is the founder of RGM Watch Co., established in 1992 in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. He is widely recognized as a leader in the American horological revival, producing timepieces that blend modern precision with traditional hand-craftsmanship.
Massena LAB
Massena LAB is a New York-based independent watch studio that functions as a "horological laboratory". Founded in 2018 by industry veteran William Massena, it is known for producing limited-edition timepieces that blend vintage design with modern Swiss-made movements.
1776 Atelier
1776 Atelier was founded by self-taught Jason Lu, a watchmaker based in Texas that focuses on reviving high horology in the United States.
Cornell Watch Company
The Cornell Watch Company is a revived American horological brand originally founded in 1870 in Chicago. After being defunct for nearly 150 years, it was re-established in 2024 by collector John Warren.
J.N. Shapiro
J.N. Shapiro is an independent American watch brand based in Los Angeles, founded by Joshua Shapiro, where he is spearheading the revival of high-end American watchmaking, specifically through intricate hand-guilloché.
Weiss Watch Company
Weiss Watch Company is an independent American watchmaker dedicated to reviving domestic timepiece manufacturing. Founded in 2013 by Swiss-trained master watchmaker Cameron Weiss, the brand moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020.
Vortic Watch Company
Vortic Watch Company is an American luxury watchmaker based in Fort Collins, Colorado that specializes in converting antique American pocket watches into one-of-a-kind wristwatches. is an American luxury watchmaker based in Fort Collins, Colorado that specializes in converting antique American pocket watches into one-of-a-kind wristwatches.
5280 Watch Company
5280 Watch Company is an American independent microbrand based in Denver, Colorado, specializing in high-artisan watches featuring rare, handcrafted dials. Founded by Rich Keel and Amy Davala, the brand is named after Denver's "Mile High" elevation of 5,280 feet.
I feel American watchmaking is underrated, the quality, depth and history rivals the best globally. There is an old saying in Pakistan which I'll change a bit which goes like "Home made Baked Bean Chili beats a Ribeye Steak made by someone else" 😁, hope the rest the world recognizes the merit of these Great Watchmakers too.
Source: GPHG, ablogtowatch, Monochrome, Worn & Wound, Microbrand Watch World
Roland G.Murphy
Roland G. Murphy is the founder of RGM Watch Co., established in 1992 in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. He is widely recognized as a leader in the American horological revival, producing timepieces that blend modern precision with traditional hand-craftsmanship.
Massena LAB
Massena LAB is a New York-based independent watch studio that functions as a "horological laboratory". Founded in 2018 by industry veteran William Massena, it is known for producing limited-edition timepieces that blend vintage design with modern Swiss-made movements.
1776 Atelier
1776 Atelier was founded by self-taught Jason Lu, a watchmaker based in Texas that focuses on reviving high horology in the United States.
Cornell Watch Company
The Cornell Watch Company is a revived American horological brand originally founded in 1870 in Chicago. After being defunct for nearly 150 years, it was re-established in 2024 by collector John Warren.
J.N. Shapiro
J.N. Shapiro is an independent American watch brand based in Los Angeles, founded by Joshua Shapiro, where he is spearheading the revival of high-end American watchmaking, specifically through intricate hand-guilloché.
Weiss Watch Company
Weiss Watch Company is an independent American watchmaker dedicated to reviving domestic timepiece manufacturing. Founded in 2013 by Swiss-trained master watchmaker Cameron Weiss, the brand moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020.
Vortic Watch Company
Vortic Watch Company is an American luxury watchmaker based in Fort Collins, Colorado that specializes in converting antique American pocket watches into one-of-a-kind wristwatches. is an American luxury watchmaker based in Fort Collins, Colorado that specializes in converting antique American pocket watches into one-of-a-kind wristwatches.
5280 Watch Company
5280 Watch Company is an American independent microbrand based in Denver, Colorado, specializing in high-artisan watches featuring rare, handcrafted dials. Founded by Rich Keel and Amy Davala, the brand is named after Denver's "Mile High" elevation of 5,280 feet.
I feel American watchmaking is underrated, the quality, depth and history rivals the best globally. There is an old saying in Pakistan which I'll change a bit which goes like "Home made Baked Bean Chili beats a Ribeye Steak made by someone else" 😁, hope the rest the world recognizes the merit of these Great Watchmakers too.
Source: GPHG, ablogtowatch, Monochrome, Worn & Wound, Microbrand Watch World
It's interesting that the Cornell piece is also signed RGM.
Thank you for putting this informative post together. I learned of a few makers I was unaware of.
I've always been a fan of RGM, and find it cool they are in Lancaster, PA, former home of Hamilton.
What a wonderful deep dive!
I’ve always been fond of RGM. Have considered a pilot style watch from them ten years ago or so. I’ve just always been led in different directions, however, there are some nice pieces in their catalog.
Wow, you are so diligent.
Great applaud to you, Iron Brother, for bringing to us so much research information on horology.
Thank You Iron Brother, I try my best, Good to see all the Artisans and their Great Work 😊🙏
Thank You Sir for reminding me, I've added an Addendum below, hope a kind Moderator would see it and add the info to the main post 😊🙏
Wow, thank you for that encyclopedic compilation, Salman 🙏😃
I've been enjoying your other reports, too. SAmerica, Australia, SKorea...
So many brands and pieces that I would likely not have otherwise come across .
Here, I really like the dial of the first model photographed under Cornell Watch Co. and the back side views of many others !
My Pleasure Brotherman 😊🙏, so many Great Watchmakers that deserve more Love, like yourself I too enjoy "the back side view of many others" 🤣
Really great post like your one on Australian watchmaking👌👍
I got a Weiss when he first got going after reading bout him in WatchTime
Fabulous post, Brotherman!
Proud that RGM is in my home state (really a commonwealth) of Pennsylvania! And I will immediately check out 5280 in my current home state, which I never heard of until reading your informative post! Thanks for the great post.
Thank You Kindly Dear Brotherman Rob Sir 😁, if you do vist 5280 please do share your experience, Stay Groovy 😉
Addendum: Keaton P. Myrick, Moderators if you could be so kind to add this to the main post, would be much obliged 😊🙏
Keaton P. Myrick
Keaton Myrick is an American independent watchmaker based in Oregon who creates high-end, hand-finished timepieces using traditional artisanal methods. He is known for his extreme attention to detail and limited production, often completing only 10–12 watches per year.
What I really respect about Keaton is that he is Cool enough to post watches on his Instagram he likes that are other than his own, who does that?
Source: Keaton P. Myrick
Keaton Myrick is an American independent watchmaker based in Oregon who creates high-end, hand-finished timepieces using traditional artisanal methods. He is known for his extreme attention to detail and limited production, often completing only 10–12 watches per year.
What I really respect about Keaton is that he is Cool enough to post watches on his Instagram he likes that are other than his own, who does that?
Source: Keaton P. Myrick
Great overview, Salman!
The Audubon-inspired RGM Glossy Iris appeals to me very much.
credit: Sjx
Best, Emmanuel
credit: Sjx
Fantastic post, thanks
some of these RGM are really attractive.
Might want to ad Devon? I always found these intriguing.
Best
Andreas
You're Welcome 😊, WoW Devon, it's been a hot minute, they had a belt drive system if I remember correctly....
Devon Works
Devon Works is a California-based luxury design lab famous for its high-tech, belt-driven timepieces. Their watches use a patented system of interwoven "Time Belts" instead of traditional hands to display time, blending aerospace engineering with luxury horology.
Source: Monochrome, atimelyperspective, hodinkee, Google Images
Devon Works is a California-based luxury design lab famous for its high-tech, belt-driven timepieces. Their watches use a patented system of interwoven "Time Belts" instead of traditional hands to display time, blending aerospace engineering with luxury horology.
Source: Monochrome, atimelyperspective, hodinkee, Google Images
Here was a short-lived bit of fun before the drama started...
For those that remember Kobold, there was the attempt to start the Spirit of America series in Titanium. Michael was the darling of James Gandolfini for a bit, before getting into trouble with some airport firearms violations, then the whole drama with overseas watchworks, etc.
In any case, I remember when both he and Roland use to come down from PA to attend the old TZ luncheons in Tyson's when held at the Maggiano's at the Galleria above Liljenquist & Beckstead. Nothing fancy horoligicaly, but a fun bit of local history.
In any case, I remember when both he and Roland use to come down from PA to attend the old TZ luncheons in Tyson's when held at the Maggiano's at the Galleria above Liljenquist & Beckstead. Nothing fancy horoligicaly, but a fun bit of local history.
I remember, they were so hot when they came out, thank you for the walk down Memory Lane 😊👍🙏
Blast from the past.
Kobold had a decent cross over appeal / cross over fan base among Paneristi in the 2000s.
Have not heard that name in many years.
Have not heard that name in many years.
The original SOA used the 6597 manual
I looked up the current models and they use a base ETA automatic.
My Kobold leather strap had the keeper deteriorate, which is likely my fault for not applying any leather preservative. I have an aftermarket strap on it now with a Panerai style buckle, and I do have the titanium bracelet which I need to resize when I get a moment away from the computer.
My Kobold leather strap had the keeper deteriorate, which is likely my fault for not applying any leather preservative. I have an aftermarket strap on it now with a Panerai style buckle, and I do have the titanium bracelet which I need to resize when I get a moment away from the computer.